Once again, Georgia is about to require that new voters prove their citizenship before casting a ballot. The State Election Board voted 3-1 today to approve a process for citizenship checks, which were mandated by the Georgia Legislature this year. Board member David Worley tried unsuccessfully to amend the new rules, or table them for further refinement, based on objections raised by immigrant and minority groups.

The State Election Board may put the final touches next week on Georgia’s drive to require proof of citizenship when residents register to vote. The Justice Department last spring rejected Secretary of State Karen Handel‘s effort to purge non-citizens from the voting rolls as inaccurate and racially discriminatory. The board will vote Dec. 10 on new rules, subject to federal approval, outlining acceptable proof of citizenship and creating an appeal process.